Chapter 3 HERBERT WILBUR 1
The week went by fast, and it was finally time to pack up and leave for her new school. Elaine had made it a habit to always go to the beach. It was very comfortable since no one ever went there maybe it was somewhere she went with the hope of seeing him again. But that was just tough luck; she didn't even get a glimpse of his shadow.
"Uhhh," she let out a loud sigh as she stood in front of her clothes, which were scattered all over the bed.
"I have so much packing to do. If I had known I would be going to a boarding school, I wouldn't have even bothered unpacking in the first place."
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"You know, I'll miss you," her mum said as they sat down for breakfast. "It will be very lonely here without you. I want you to make lots of friends. I hope you'll be very happy being with people your age. I know you don't want to go, but I just thought I was being selfish taking you away and bringing you here to this place. I love it here, but it's not the right place for you. You'd be lonely here with me, and I don't want that. You've got a long life ahead of you, but me-I've done all I want to do. You'll make a lot of happy memories, the-"
"Mom, stop. You make it seem as though you want me to leave and go very far away. It's just boarding school, and it's just one year. One year and I'll be through with high school."
"My emotions just got in the way," her mom said, wiping a stray tear from her cheek.
"And I will surely miss you."
Elaine kept spacing out as they had their breakfast. Something didn't feel right to her.
She was the one who chose for us to move to this lonely town, which was really far away from where we lived. She was the one who made preparations for me to attend a boarding school. She already knew I would be leaving and she would be alone. If she wanted me to stay with her, we could have stayed somewhere else. Something feels off... or am I just overthinking things?
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The trees passed by one by one or were they the ones driving past the trees?
Her mom was driving while she just sat there with her earpiece plugged in. It was going to be a very long drive to the school. As hours went by, the environment began to change from developed to less developed until it started to look rural. It seemed like a village, crowded and strange.
Elaine turned to look at her mom, who didn't seem to care about the unusual change in the environment. She kept driving calmly while Elaine's fingers stayed intertwined in her lap from anxiety. Soon, they had to park the car because the road ahead was too narrow, and they could only continue on foot.
"Be careful," her mom scolded gently as she helped Elaine bring down her luggage from the boot. "Don't worry, it won't be a long walk."
"Okay," Elaine answered, not the least convinced. If she had known the journey would be like this, she would have carried much less. Now, it would be a hassle.
They walked for over an hour before Elaine realized there wasn't a single soul around. It was just the two of them walking this narrow path no houses, no people, no sounds.
"Mom, are you sure we're walking the right path?"
"Yes, we'll be there soon," her mom said with an assuring smile.
After walking for an extra thirty minutes, a very large building unlike anything she had ever seen began to come into sight. It looked ancient, like a structure that had stood the test of time.
"That should be it," she thought to herself, until they walked closer and she realized the place was more like an estate. All the buildings were connected to one another like a fortress and painted the same pale white. The sky suddenly seemed darker around this environment, making one wonder if it was going to rain soon.
Elaine suddenly stopped walking and began to look around.
"What are you doing?" her mom asked caringly.
"Um... this is the school, right?"
"Yes. Do you like it?"
Elaine had to wonder why that question didn't sound right. It was as if her mom was talking about something else or taunting her about the school.
"It's okay," she managed to voice out.
"Then what's the problem?" her mom asked, still standing behind her.
"It's just that... um... it's weird."
"I don't understand. How is it weird?" her mom asked, trying to understand.
But Elaine didn't know how to tell her that this place didn't feel right or safe. It was scary detached from the rest of the world. The air felt heavy, creepy, as if something was waiting for her to step inside. She felt like this was her last chance to save herself from something unknown.
"How is the school weird?" her mom asked again, now sounding worried as she noticed Elaine sweating. "Do you want to head back?"
She really wanted to scream YES, but that would be selfish. All the long walk and preparation would go to waste, and she couldn't bear the guilt knowing her mom was really trying to give her a good life not that she didn't already have one.
"No, it's okay," Elaine answered softly. "It's okay. I was just feeling a little sick since I'm not used to the new environment."
"It's your choice," her mom suddenly said.
"What is?" Elaine asked, confused.
"Nothing. Let's go."
In a matter of minutes, Elaine was standing in front of two large double wooden doors.
Her mom had long gone.
Right now, it was just her
and Herbert Wilbur.